Way of Balance

The next morning, Zhang Xiaohua emerged from meditation. Nothing had changed, yet there was an extra trace of confidence in his gaze—a confidence that seemed able to see through the nine netherworlds—as well as a profound mystery no one could comprehend.

Inside the Eight Trigrams Purple Gold Furnace, the refinement of the dozen or so herbs had reached precisely the right point. Zhang Xiaohua did not delay. In the two pill chambers, he combined all the refined medicinal liquids and began the liquid fusion.

Perhaps it was the progress he had made in cultivating the Heavenly Dao over the past few days, or perhaps it was yesterday's sudden enlightenment of the Way of Cause and Effect. Today's liquid fusion went exceptionally smoothly, and even the true qi in his meridians was barely depleted!

It seems my direction in comprehending the Heavenly Dao and studying talismans is correct for now. Zhang Xiaohua secretly took pride in his own wisdom.

Descending from Shixin Peak, Zhang Xiaohua made no effort to conceal his movements. He swaggered straight toward Zhang Xiaohu's small courtyard. Zhang Xiaohu's prospects were now soaring. As the Pill-Refining Hall's representative, showing a little enthusiasm and visiting his benefactor more often was only natural. Surely even the people of Yi Xiang Peak could not say much about it, right?

When Zhang Xiaohua approached Zhang Xiaohu's courtyard, the former desolation was indeed nowhere to be found. Several disciples came and went, making the place seem especially busy.

When they saw Zhang Xiaohua, those who recognized him casually clasped their hands in greeting. Those who did not know him gave him a few extra looks, not forgetting to whisper among themselves.

"Damn..." Zhang Xiaohua was greatly embarrassed. "Is this young hero's reputation really as rotten as Junior Sister Yi said?"

"Looks like I